Abstract
The Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) have a key role to play in understanding which factors and policies would motivate, encourage and enable different actors to adopt a wide range of sustainable energy behaviours and support the required system changes and policies. The SSH can provide critical insights into how consumers could be empowered to consistently engage in sustainable energy behaviour, support and adopt new technologies, and support policies and changes in energy systems. Furthermore, they can increase our understanding of how organisations such as private and public institutions, and groups and associations of people can play a key role in the sustainable energy transition. We identify key questions to be addressed that have been identified by the Platform for Energy Research in the Socio-economic Nexus (PERSON, see person.eu), including SSH scholars who have been studying energy issues for many years. We identify three main research themes. The first research theme involves understanding which factors encourage different actors to engage in sustainable energy behaviour. The second research theme focuses on understanding which interventions can be effective in encouraging sustainable energy behaviour of different actors, and which factors enhance their effects. The third research theme concerns understanding which factors affect public and policy support for energy policy and changes in energy systems, and how important public concerns can best be addressed as to reduce or prevent resistance.
Highlights
Many states have set ambitious goals to decarbonise the energy system (Mundaca et al, 2019; Black et al, 2021)
Energy systems that rely on variable renewable energy sources will be more efficient and sustainable when energy demand is reduced and when energy demand better matches the supply of low carbon energy sources such as renewables
Energy users can support and engage in a wide range of sustainable energy behaviours that would promote sustainable energy systems and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including the adoption and use of renewable energy sources and low carbon innovations, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, adoption of energy efficient appliances and vehicles, and changing behaviour associated with energy use in buildings and for transport to reduce fossil energy use (IPCC, 2018)
Summary
Many states have set ambitious goals to decarbonise the energy system (Mundaca et al, 2019; Black et al, 2021) To achieve these goals, changes in technology and human behaviour are critical (IPCC, 2018; IEA, 2020, 2021). The SSH can provide critical insights into how consumers could be empowered to consistently engage in sustainable energy behaviour, and to support policies, technologies, and changes in energy systems. They can increase our understanding of how to motivate and enable organisations such as private and public institutions, and groups and associations of people to achieve a sustainable energy transition. The third research theme concerns understanding which factors affect public and policy support for energy policy and changes in energy systems, and how important public concerns can best be addressed as to reduce or prevent resistance and to enhance positive outcomes for society at large
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